An IOM-organized conference, the first international forum focusing
on trafficking for labour exploitation in Germany, was held in
Berlin yesterday.

The conference brought together leading international and
national human trafficking experts and practitioners with the aim
of outlining possible national and regional strategies on
countering trafficking for labour exploitation in Germany.

Although labour trafficking is a criminal offence in Germany,
comprehensive law enforcement strategies and responses to address
human rights violations in the form of trafficking are still
lacking.

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"/jahia/webdav/site/myjahiasite/shared/shared/mainsite/graphics/interface/icons_buttons/blue_link_box.gif"> "http://www.gegen-menschenhandel.de/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=76"
target="_blank" title="">Conference information

A research study, commissioned by IOM and presented at the
conference in Berlin, shows that many cases of trafficking for
labour exploitation appear as voluntary, autonomous migration and
unregistered employment.

"The coercive situation and multiple dependencies, which
facilitate extreme labour exploitation in the first place, often
remain concealed," stated Argentina Szabados, IOM Chief of Mission
in Germany.

Dr. Maria Grazia Giammarinaro, OSCE Special Representative and
Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, noted that:
"Trafficking for labour exploitation remains a top priority for the
OSCE and this international gathering is one of very few having
taken place in the OSCE region and as such it sets the scene."

The conference panels focused on the role of labour inspection,
a more effective prosecution of traffickers and exchange of good
practices to protect migrant workers against labour exploitation
and human trafficking.

Experts agreed that an effective strategy to combat labour
trafficking requires first and foremost establishing trust between
the different actors to facilitate cooperation. Additionally, the
need for general awareness-raising on the subject was stressed as
well as the importance of readily accessible publications and other
information sources for vulnerable migrants and for those who may
come in contact with trafficked persons.

The IOM-led Berlin Alliance strives to contribute to an improved
and thorough understanding of trafficking for labour exploitation
as a violation of human rights and a discriminatory work practice.
Alliance members include IOM, the German Trade Union Federation
(DGB) of Berlin-Brandenburg, the International Labour Organization
(ILO) and the Berlin State Ministry for Integration, Labour and
Social Affairs. The event was part of the EU-funded IOM initiative,
Berlin Alliance against Trafficking for Labour Exploitation and was
hosted by the Friedrich Ebert Foundation.

Conference information including the Berlin Alliance study
presented, is available at: href=
"http://www.gegen-menschenhandel.de/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=76"
target="_blank" title=
"">http://www.gegen-menschenhandel.de/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=76.

For more information, please contact:

Philipp Schwertmann

IOM Berlin

Tel: +49 30 27877818

E-mail: "mailto:pschwertmann@iom.int">pschwertmann@iom.int